Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor

Chapter 136 Banquet [5]

Chapter 136  Banquet [5]

This night had been nothing short of an exhausting roller coaster. There were too many things to process. Too many thoughts that demanded my attention.

But above all else, one thought mattered to me the most.

"...."

The Imperial Queen, Julia Barielle.

Franz, Irene, and Astrid's mother.

That woman… Deep in my heart, I felt it, a connection I couldn't just simply ignore.

To Vanitas Astrea, she was his benefactor.

And with that realization, an indescribable guilt settled over me, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

"...."

It hurt.

A sharp, stabbing sensation—like a blade buried deep in my chest, threatening to crumble my heart into pieces.

On the surface, I might have seemed composed, but in reality, I was completely lost in my world, all while trying my best to entertain the people who approached me.

"Haa…."

The entire night had been a whirlwind.

The Saintess.

Nietzsche's strange words.

That vision I saw when I looked at Astrid.

But out of everything, one thought mattered most.

"...."

Something that existed before Vanitas Astrea became an Astrea.

Or rather—before I, Vanitas Astrea, was even given that name. The realization settled over me.

"...."

And then, without thinking, the word slipped from my lips.

"Zen."

That was the name.

The name before Vanitas Astrea became Vanitas Astrea.

"Hm?"

Franz, who had noticed my lapse in focus, turned to the side.

It took a moment for us to fully acknowledge each other ever since arriving at the banquet, but when he did, he approached me directly.

Just like my earlier exchange with Silas, Franz and I stood side by side, watching the crowd mingle

"...."

The only difference was that Franz was surrounded by women.

"Do you have plans for tonight, Lord Astrea?"

And, as it turned out, so was I.